







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Yeah, our room has only got one window! | |
| Yeah, I wonder if we share the same taste in movies! | |
| Congratulations... But is Pogo a pet's name? | |
| How much garlic do you want? | |
| Hmm, I like pop, rock, funk. | |
| Okay, how much salt do you want me to add? | |
| I'm happy to hear we have similar music taste! | |
| Yes, I'm here waiting for good news. | |
| Toby! This is Cate, she is my... friend, from London. | |
| Why don't you get it then? Do you want to see upstairs or not? | |
| Hello Mike, not much, how are you? | |
| What's the reason for the cancellation this time? | |
| No worries, I have got a peeler for you! | |
| I hope she is not a problematic one, then... | |
| I wish you all the best. | |
| Do you have any brothers or sisters? | |
| Is there anything else you want me to do? | |
| Good boy, Beary! See, he is just a little friend. | |
| How are you? | |
| You sound like a mix of British and Australian. | |